Installed Solar Panels on my Bronco Hood 🎥

[NorthShoreBronco]

Couple weeks ago I installed the new for Bronco @Cascadia_4x4 hood mountain solar panels and their mppt charger with accessory port. So far I love it! Here's my install video and first impressions. I think it's a must have if you overland. You usually can't even boost a dead AGM battery.

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[JediMcMuffin]

I watched your video already actually. Interesting solution, I like the idea that the AGM battery can just stay topped off all day long. The price seems steep to me.

 

[NorthShoreBronco]

I watched your video already actually. Interesting solution, I like the idea that the AGM battery can just stay topped off all day long. The price seems steep to me.

Considering a Raptor style hood scoop that's just for looks is $449.... I think it's priced pretty good for something that actually has some utility.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Considering a Raptor style hood scoop that's just for looks is $449.... I think it's priced pretty good for something that actually has some utility.

I think my issue is that its only 60W of charging for $650, or is that 60W per panel? The benefit being that its fully automatic and runs all the time, thats kind of nice because I do believe a lot of the Bronco's systems do drain the battery slowly. I'm on my 3rd battery in my 2021.

Contrasting idea: My EcoFlow charger which is $399 USD lets me maintain or fast charge my AGM battery using my power station, while also allowing me to recharge that power station when the engine is running at 800W, while at the same time, the power station gives me 1024Wh of power that can run absolute circles around the Bronco's onboard inverter.

Right now you can get the Delta 2 + the charger for $899, and there are even better deals to be had.

I haven't figure out exactly where/how to inject Solar into my setup, I do have an open XT60 port on the Power Station, but I like this flow better, keep AGM topped off, send all excess down the way.

 

[NorthShoreBronco]

I think my issue is that its only 60W of charging for $650, or is that 60W per panel? The benefit being that its fully automatic and runs all the time, thats kind of nice because I do believe a lot of the Bronco's systems do drain the battery slowly. I'm on my 3rd battery in my 2021.

Contrasting idea: My EcoFlow charger which is $399 USD lets me maintain or fast charge my AGM battery using my power station, while also allowing me to recharge that power station when the engine is running at 800W, while at the same time, the power station gives me 1024Wh of power that can run absolute circles around the Bronco's onboard inverter.

Right now you can get the Delta 2 + the charger for $899, and there are even better deals to be had.

I haven't figure out exactly where/how to inject Solar into my setup, I do have an open XT60 port on the Power Station, but I like this flow bettery, keep AGM topped off, send all excess down the way.

Yea, I'll be running a simmilar set up. I'll have my 1000w powerstation being toped up while driving, then a small solar trickle from the Cascasdia system while stopped at camp.

But just having that 60 watts always there on the bronco is nice. I have a folding 120 watt pannel I can take out at camp and connect it to the system in series. Might even plug straight to the power station at camp once I veryfi my battery is topped up.

 

[DMSCS]

I like the streamlined look but yeah that price is steep compared to normal solar panels. I went a different route by mounting a 100w panel on my rooftop tent.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Worth noting, both my original battery, and the warrantied replacement died the same way. My vehicle was not parked for a long time, it was even driven for hours the day before. I drove to the grocery store to pickup some food (ironically, the same store, both times). Go back outside and the previously running absolutely fine Bronco will not even attempt to start. The battery shows like 12.4-12.5V on the dash, which should be more than enough start it. For battery #3 I got one from CostCo, but its literally the same exact battery Ford uses. Some folks recommended I add a shunt to find the drain, but I don't think there really is one.

So yeah, these AGM batteries don't give me the warm/squishy feeling.

 

[mvilla]

I like the streamlined look but yeah that price is steep compared to normal solar panels. I went a different route by mounting a 100w panel on my rooftop tent.

That looks like the aspen lite, how do you mount the solar panel to it?

 

[Techun]

Worth noting, both my original battery, and the warrantied replacement died the same way. My vehicle was not parked for a long time, it was even driven for hours the day before. I drove to the grocery store to pickup some food (ironically, the same store, both times). Go back outside and the previously running absolutely fine Bronco will not even attempt to start. The battery shows like 12.4-12.5V on the dash, which should be more than enough start it. For battery #3 I got one from CostCo, but its literally the same exact battery Ford uses. Some folks recommended I add a shunt to find the drain, but I don't think there really is one.

So yeah, these AGM batteries don't give me the warm/squishy feeling.

You're on your third battery already? And it's like at most a 2021?

Do you live in New Mexico or something? I would expect your first battery to last 5-8 years easily.

 

[DMSCS]

That looks like the aspen lite, how do you mount the solar panel to it?

Yes it is the Aspen Lite. I mounted the solar panel to 90 degree aluminum that I cut to size and had powder coated. Then I used some of the existing screws on the top and drilled a couple more holes to screw it down.

For the wiring I drilled a larger hole on top to pass the solar power through the top of the tent to plug in above the roof.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Worth noting, both my original battery, and the warrantied replacement died the same way. My vehicle was not parked for a long time, it was even driven for hours the day before. I drove to the grocery store to pickup some food (ironically, the same store, both times). Go back outside and the previously running absolutely fine Bronco will not even attempt to start. The battery shows like 12.4-12.5V on the dash, which should be more than enough start it. For battery #3 I got one from CostCo, but its literally the same exact battery Ford uses. Some folks recommended I add a shunt to find the drain, but I don't think there really is one.

So yeah, these AGM batteries don't give me the warm/squishy feeling.

I have a 2021 FE and still running the original battery... 99,500 miles...the trick is to turn up the charge rate % in forscan from OEM 80% to 90%...my guage system shows 15.1 volts often while running and over 13v when off.

 

[CalvinT]

Worth noting, both my original battery, and the warrantied replacement died the same way. My vehicle was not parked for a long time, it was even driven for hours the day before. I drove to the grocery store to pickup some food (ironically, the same store, both times). Go back outside and the previously running absolutely fine Bronco will not even attempt to start. The battery shows like 12.4-12.5V on the dash, which should be more than enough start it. For battery #3 I got one from CostCo, but its literally the same exact battery Ford uses. Some folks recommended I add a shunt to find the drain, but I don't think there really is one.

So yeah, these AGM batteries don't give me the warm/squishy feeling.

I'm curious. Was this before or after you installed the ECOflow charger?

 

[Andrew Bynum]

Kind of funny/ironic that all the people with layers of power supplies and solar whatnots, trying to keep their batteries alive, are burning through their batteries while I’ve done no such thing and still on the same battery since August 2021 with no issues at all.

KISS.

 

[CalvinT]

I wonder how many remember to keep the vehicle battery isolated from the rest of their 12V system. It's OK for power to flow from the auxiliary 12V system to the vehicle battery as long as you don't over charge. It's never a good idea to let power flow in the opposite direction.

 

[dejones64]

I like the streamlined look but yeah that price is steep compared to normal solar panels. I went a different route by mounting a 100w panel on my rooftop tent.

Awesome! I’ll be doing the same on my Aspen Lite. I use a Bluetti AC180 to run a fridge and extras.

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